The Best Seafood Dives Coast to Coast

From fish fillets to barbecued oysters, this Pacific state has seafood offerings that are sure to satisfy any pallette.

Southern CaliforniaHarbor Fish Cafè, CarlsbadWhat to expect: Order the large plate of fish-and-chips―three pieces of lightly battered fish, a mound of fries, and homemade tartar sauce. It weighs about 5 pounds, but it’s worth every calorie-laden bite.Check it out: 3179 Carlsbad Boulevard; 760/729-4161

Catalina Fish Kitchen and Seafood Deli, Costa MesaWhat to expect: A huge array of moderately priced seafood, prepared any way you can imagine, packs the menu. The tacos, gumbos, and chowders all draw rave reviews. The mixed seafood skewer deserves consideration, too.Check it out: 670 West 17th Street; 949/645-8873 or catalinafishkitchen.com

The Crab Pot, Long BeachWhat to expect: Bring a friend and order a “Seafest for Two.”Check it out: 215 North Marina Drive; 562/430-0272 or thecrabpot.com

The Crab Cooker, Newport BeachWhat to expect: “World's best” clam chowder, according to the menu, and pretty good broiled seafood too.Check it out: 2200 Newport Boulevard; 949/673-0100 or crabcooker.com

Duke’s Malibu, MalibuWhat to expect: Concentrate on what stretches out in front of you: unobstructed views of the Pacific, and dish after dish of delicious island-inspired fare. From the chicken spring rolls to the coconut shrimp, the spicy Asian slaw, and the crisp, flavorful Baja fish tacos, Duke’s has freshness down pat.Check it out: 21150 Pacific Coast Highway; 310/317-0777 or dukesmalibu.com

Malibu Seafood, MalibuWhat to expect: Seafood market and takeout stand. Get what’s fresh and eat at picnic tables or across the highway on the beach.Check it out: 25653 Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1); 310/456-3430 or malibuseafood.com

Paradise Cove Beach Café, MalibuWhat to expect: Wide-screen views of the Pacific. The clam chowder and crispy-skin salmon are well worth the trip down the mile-long access road.Check it out: 28128 Pacific Coast Highway; 310/457-2503 or paradisecovemalibu.com

The Green Flash, San DiegoWhat to expect: You just might glimpse that elusive moment that gave the restaurant its name―when the setting sun appears green for an instant. Delivering your heaping seafood platter, bowlful of steamed clams, or fat burger, your server will tell you to “look quick, it's awesome.”Check it out: 701 Thomas Avenue; 858/270-7715 or greenflashrestaurant.com

Point Loma Seafoods, San DiegoWhat to expect: Lunchtime crowds favor the crab, tuna, and shrimp sandwiches, and the creamy and tomato-based chowders.Check it out: 2805 Emerson Street; 619/223-1109 or pointlomaseafoods.com

Enterprise Fish Co., Santa MonicaWhat to expect: For more than a quarter-century, diners have thronged the airy brick building, a former trolley station just steps from the beach. The menu includes live lobsters and raw shellfish, but the focus is on fresh Pacific fish, prepared with a range of influences from Cajun to Asian, Italian, and all-American “golden fried.”Check it out: 174 Kinney Street; 310/392-8366 enterprisefishco.com

Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Market, VenturaWhat to expect: A big variety of seafood―almost all of it fresh from the market half of the business―comes fried, charbroiled, or stir-fried. We love the fish-and-chips, especially the halibut.Check it out: 1449 Spinnaker Drive; 805/654-0546 or andriasseafood.com

Pier Beach Grill, VenturaWhat to expect: Pick up some chowder or fish-and-chips at this no-frills snack bar at the foot of the 1,958-foot Ventura Pier. Then enjoy the sea breeze, the cries of the gulls, and the rhythmic rush of the waves.Check it out: 668 Harbor Boulevard; 805/648-3177

Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Southern California and HonoluluWhat to expect: This regional chain has a surprisingly healthy Mexican-Brazilian-Asian-Californian menu. The casual surfer vibe adapts to each location, giving stores a neighborhood feel.Check it out: Various coastal locations in Southern California and Honolulu, Hawaii; wahoos.com